In the high-stakes world of Major League Baseball, leadership is often measured by the player’s on-field prowess. But for Los Angeles Angels’ star catcher Logan O’Hoppe leadership comes in all forms – sometimes in the form of a Bluetooth speaker! At just 25 years old, O’Hoppe has already become the unofficial DJ of the Angels’ clubhouse, taking charge of something that is usually reserved for the veterans.

But how did he land this gig? “I think I asked first about the Bluetooth and then no one’s taken it,” O’Hoppe said while swiftly imposing his law. He didn’t ask for it, he claimed it! And just like that the power of the playlist was all his. Now, let’s talk about the music. O’Hoppe’s approach to playlist creation is as spontaneous as it gets. Nothing like pre-made playlists or any consistent genre, Logan embraces the chaos of Spotify’s auto-play.

“I use Spotify a lot, so I use whatever genre and I’ll play a song and let it go from there,” said Logan. One day it’s rap, one day jazz, and the next it’s Latin hits. You never quite know what you are going to get, and after all, this is what you would expect from a young fearless leader. However, his teammates don’t share the enthusiasm.

Mike Trout, arguably the biggest name in the Angels’ clubhouse, was less than impressed with O’Hoppe’s DJ skills. “It’s subpar,” Trout said, giving O’Hoppe a B- for his efforts. Although Trout did agree that his tunes had improved at least once to such extent that one day he found himself singing along to Bad Bunny’s “Después de la Playa”. But for Trout, the main area for improvement isn’t necessarily the genre—it’s consistency. “It’s not his fault. Well, it’s kind of his fault because sometimes he gets a little sidetracked with stuff that he has to do. But I think when he’s on top of his game, he’s good,” Trout joked.

Zach Neto, another young Angel, took a slightly kinder approach when talking about O’Hoppe’s DJ debut. “Definitely his style in music,” Neto said, laughing. “He’s learning. He’s starting to get a little bit of Latin music in there. His music is kind of like that random square. You never know what you’re going to get,” revealed Neto, who’s experienced O’Hoppe’s music selection firsthand.

Despite the mixed reviews, one thing remains certain O’Hoppe has earned the respect of his teammates. Being the clubhouse DJ isn’t just about picking the right songs; it’s about taking on a role of responsibility that others might shy away from. Just as Zach Neto said, “I think he’s a guy who wants to be a leader.” So while his music selection may hit or miss, his willingness to step up and take charge of such a lighthearted role speaks volumes of his maturity. For now, the locker is in his favor (sometimes) for one song at a time!

Logan O’Hoppe: From slump to strength

Logan O’Hoppe’s 2024 season could be best described as a rollercoaster ride. Early in the year, he was soaring high with a potential All-Star appearance in the making, with his impressive offensive and defensive abilities.

But then came August, a month that nearly derailed his momentum. O’Hoppe, who had been enjoying a solid .277 batting average at the time, hit an unexpected slump. Over a 21-game straight streak, he posted a disappointing 0.079 average while going 6-for-76 at the plate. “I was wondering if it was still in there,” O’Hoppe admitted, reflecting on those tough weeks. “You get in the mix, and you’re just like, ‘Man, I’m not feeling or doing the same things I was.’” But as every athlete knows, the battle off the field is quite fierce than the battle on the field.

During his struggles, O’Hoppe didn’t let the slump define him. He worked tirelessly to get back on track. And he did! O’Hoppe’s redemption arc was something to behold, highlighted by a scorching 4-for-5 performance in his final game of the season. His numbers spoke volumes of his redemption arc. .244/.303/.409 with 20 home runs and 56 RBIs in 136 games, told the story of a young player who had turned the tides.

Los Angeles Angels manager Perry Minasia made sure to acknowledge that the patch was rough, it didn’t stop Logan. With a strong finish, he heads into the offseason knowing that he’s not just built for the game’s highs, but for its inevitable lows as well. The season may have brought the struggles but his fightback and the growth was undeniable!